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Soil moisture is low, and local rivers and creeks are quickly returning to the trickles they were before the weekend rains fell, according to gauges maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey.

But those rains could just be the beginning of more to come.

The Climate Prediction Center is forecasting that most of Texas will have above-average rainfall and cooler weather through May.

“There are indications that (El Niño) is coming back,” Pashos said. “There will definitely be enhanced rainfall in the late fall through winter.”

The El Niño weather pattern usually brings Texas more rain, welcome news for Government Canyon, which started a series of prescribed burns last week to fight back invasive plants and help restore native grasslands.

Not only did the 2 inches of rain that fell Saturday and Sunday at the state-owned natural area completely douse all the smoldering material left over from the fires, but it triggered green shoots that were already poking through the blackened landscape Monday.

But those plants will have to wait a bit for their next watering.

“There is no chance of rain for the remainder of the week,” Pashos said. “No rain over the weekend, either.”